Auditons, etc.

• Improv Playhouse at 116 W. Lake Street, Libertyville, holds auditions for both boys and girls up to age 17 for its Young Actors Workshop adaptation of Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist" from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 16 and from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 17. Training and rehearsal begin Jan. 13. Call (847) 968-4529 for more information.

• College of Lake County Theatre Department has open auditions for the community for its spring production of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3 and 5 in the Studio Theatre of the Lumber Center for Performing Arts at 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Those interested in auditioning should prepare a memorized monologue from a comedy written before 1900. Call (847) 543-2040 for more information.

• As part of its 2009 celebration of the Abraham Lincoln bicentennial, Ravinia Festival is challenging composers to create new piano trios inspired by the words of the 16th president. Winning composers receive a $5,000 award along with multiple performances from their submitted work. A complete entry form with all the rules and regulations can be found at www.ravinia.org.

• Auditions for a February production of the musical "The Fantasticks" are 6:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the Robert W. Rolek Community Center, 814 Hart Road, Round Lake. Those auditioning should prepare 32 bars of a song. For more information, call (847) 546-8558

• Elgin Community College Musical Theatre has auditions for a winter production of Roger Miller's 1985 Broadway musical "Big River--The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" at 6 p.m. Dec. 1 in room 284D at the Elgin Community College Visual and Performing Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Call (847) 214-7188 for an audition hotline.

• Overshadowed Theatrical Productions has auditions for the classic American comedy "Arsenic and Old Lace" at 10 a.m. Dec. 8 and 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at 210 S. Walnut St., Itasca. Those auditioning should prepare a 60-second monologue and read from the script. Call (630) 250-7518 for more information.

• Janus Theatre holds auditions for Marivaux's farce "Triumph of Love" from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., Elgin. Those auditioning should prepare a classical monologue or read from sides from the play. Visit www.janustheatre.org for more information and to schedule audition times.

• Grove Players hold auditions for Alan Ayckbourn's British comedy "How The Other Half Loves" from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 1125 Franklin Ave., Downers Grove. Auditions are cold readings from the script or a prepared monologue from a contemporary British comedy. Visit www.groveplayers.org for details.

• Bowen Park Theatre Company at The Jack Benny Center seeks theater directors for spring and summer "Shows for Young Audiences," which attract schools, camps and student organizations across Lake County. Forward a cover letter and resume to Cultural Arts Supervisor at Jack Benny Center for the Arts, 39 Jack Benny Drive, Waukegan, IL 60087. Call (847) 360-4740 or visit www.waukeganparks.org for details.

• Artists are invited to apply for the Naperville Art League's 23rd Riverwalk Fine Art Fair, which is the third weekend of September. Visit www.zapplication.org for details or call (630) 355-2530.

• Improv Playhouse is taking registrations for its upcoming production of "Godspell Junior," a shortened version of Stephen Schwartz's hit 1970s musical based upon the life of Jesus Christ. The fee is $295 per child. Call (847) 968-4529 or visit www.improvplayhouse.com.

• Acappellago, an adult volunteer a cappella chamber choir, holds auditions by appointment for new singers for its sixth season during November and December. All voice parts are open, but tenors and basses are particularly sought. Rehearsals begin Jan. 13 for the show "Escape to … Wonderland." Call (708) 484-3797 or visit www.acappellago.org.

• The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra (ESO) holds Stanger Young Artists Concerto Auditions on Feb. 2 in Irion Hall, Elmhurst College, 190 Prospect, Elmhurst. The Stanger Competition offers high school students a chance to perform a concerto movement with the ESO and a monetary award of $300. Application deadline is Dec. 7 with a $35 application fee (there are only 25 spots available). Forms can be downloaded at www.elmhurstsymphony.org. Call (630) 941-0202.

• My Fruit Roll-Ups is holding an "Eat My Words" contest to find America's funniest children between the ages of 8 to 12 to promote its new customizable messages on its products. Parents can send VHS or DVD videos up to one minute in length of their children performing jokes along with an entry form found at www.myfruitrollups.com. There are cash and food prizes. Entries will be accepted through Dec. 11.